1936-03-19 — Page 7

THE CHINA.MAIL, THURSDAY, MARCH. 19, 1936

VIOLENT ATTACKS ON HIGH COST OF LOCAL CIVIL SERVICE

OSING ARRAY

OF FACTS

“GOVT. MUST CUT COAT ACCORDING TO CLOTH"

IMMEDIATE RETRENCHMENT URGED

Japproximately $23,500,000 avail- able expenditure' (of which pear- ly $3,500,000 is earmarked for Public Works Extraordinary), the sum of over $14,000,000 is spent on salaries; in other words, 60-per jcent. is spent on salaries, leaving the sum of just over $9,500.000 to cover the whole cost of Civil Ad- ministration. including Social Services and the thousand and one items of essential public expendi-

ture.

"Need I say more to show that the existing Civil Service is ton

say that, unless this crushing.bur-

improvements

the

in Colony must indefizitely be re- of fanciful

Intention To Retrench "I am aware that the Govern-

ed its intention to retrench.

For

The Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo, above, made a slashing attack this after- Doon on the Government's policy of engaging expensive sterling- salaried men in the civil services, when local men might be engaged without loss of efficiency.

can the Colony afford it?

50-1

can

"To what extent are the creased Hospital and other Medical facilities offered by Government, made use of by those who jafford to pay reasonable charges for the same? And, to the extent indicated above, are not such faci- lities merely competitive with those offered by private practi- tioners 1 venture to suggest that questions such as those indicated. abore should engage the immediate attention of the Government.

Police Forces And Pensions "Again. I yield to none in my admiration and respect for

the

all the Police Force, but are nirerons Assistant Superinten dents of Police really necessary? know I should very such like to how many Assistant Superinten Idents we had. say, 15 years ago.

The Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, Sir Henry Pollock, above, supported the Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo's motion et the Council meeting this afternoon for a drastic reduction in the Hong Kong civil services.

"Then, look at the Fersion be confused..

figures. The amount of Pensions paid in a year rose from $503,000

Grossly Overpaid

certain directions in which he sug gests thr: economies might be ef- fected in various Departments, and I would like to add some re- marks with which my Unofficial colleagues are in general agree

ment

"Firstly, in regard to the Me- dical Department, Ibotice (ak pages 30 and 31.of.the.Staff List which bus. recently been printed and sent by the Government to the Unofficial Members) that no less than seven out of the 10 European Medical Officers, connected with the Hospital Division of the Me- dical Department, with salaries rising from £700 to £1,180, per (annum, bave been appointed since (January, 1, 1930. I conjecture that part of that large increase in the Hospital Medical Staff is owing to the Government having, 'about five years ago, given to all Civil Servants, right up to the Gover

To my mind the Civil Service nor, the privilege of free Govern»-

odd in 1924. to the sum of is not only overstaffed, but inment Medical attendance in their $1,510.000 1936.

in the Estimates for many individual cases grossly over-jown homes.

resort

Various proposals of a far-reaching nature, costly for the Colony to bear? Is designed to influence the Government to cut its it an exaggeration of language to coat according to its cloth in the matter of the den of salaries is substantially re- local civil services and said to be unanimously duced. all hopes of effecting subs supported by the Unofficial Members, were in-antial cluded in the speech by the Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo in legated to the realm introducing his motion before the Legislative dreams? Council this afternoon "that in the opinion of this Council the Colony cannot afford to main-ment has, year after year, express-

I do not know whether the paid and 1 feel that until this "That privilege was formerly tain so large and costly a Civil Service as now instance, during the Budget De-

Government has ever obtained ac-fundamental defect in Administra- confined to subordinate officers, exists, and that the Government should take bate in 1931 His Excellency Sir

ftuarial assistance in computing tion has been remedied, it is a whilst the senior officers had immediate steps to effect all possible retrench-William Peel said:—

When I came here, I was im- on the question of Nursing Sisters. the potential liability of the Colony matter for regret that it should to

to and pay for the pressed by the large number of I confess I cannot understand why for Pensions in respect of the ex-be necessary to call upon all the services of Doctors in private ments in the same."

European staff, particularly in the His Excellency should have regard-isting Civil Establishment. but civil servants to bear a sacrifice firms. In this connection I have subordinate grades. Steps are be.

that local shudder to think what this figure which, no doubt, works great hard-been informed that the fees re- ing taken to replace some of these ed his own proposal, gradually by local officers, though nursing sisters might be trained will be, say, in 10 years' time, as ship in individual cases. And this ceived by one private firm of Doc- it is a step which must be taken so as to reduce the large number the Pensions payable already regret is all the greater when we tors from Senior Civil Servants in with caution. The Government is of sisters recruited from England. amount to nearly $2,000,000 a year! reflect that this necessity would the year 1931 amounted to $9,141, rely to give local recruits every as a matter of mere "hope" and In my submission what the not have arisen this year if the but have, in the year 1935, fallen

at-Government had only acceded to to $2.107. Whilst private prac prove that such confidence is not possibility, in view of the fact Government should do is to

busi-titioners are being hard hit by the misplaced. policy can only be that Hong Kong annually produces tempt to tackle the present finan- the unanimous and urgent

This followed if local recruits prove scores of nurses qualified accord-{cial position by business methods: nesslike request of the

jabove new policy of the Govern that they possess the

and in other words, by taking stock of members-about which I necessary ing to the presumably high

expense to the tax-payers of this fail to do this, they and the Colony

In any case I venture adjusting its expenditure in rela- Senior Unofficial Member, will ernment cannot complain if we have to re-

Colony for salary, housing, leave vert to the system which has ob- to enquire what is the practicalition to its income, or probable in-speak-to fix Exchange forward for tained hitherto, The matter lies outcome of the deliberations become, for the present, and the years all the 1936 Sterling commitments Par, and pensions, and, there- as a new policy to fore, ought in their hands, (Hansard.

the to come-

To introduce the whole Moreover, until this defect is re have been submitted to this Coun- 1211.

the D.M.S.S.? According sale reduction in the salaries of medied the Government obviously cil for its approval, those practi- of this Council which I know will tion amounting to $4,366,901, and His Excellency Sir William Peet to the Estimates for 1936 there civil servants avowedly as a tem-lis not in position, to find the neces:tioners are rigidly, and,

Mr. Lo marshalled an imposing array of facts in support of his contention, his main point being that far too many civil ser- vants are engaged at expensive sterling salaries when their positions might be filled without loss of efficiency by locally-1 engaged men on dollar salaries.

The motion was supported by a strong, speech by the Senior Unofficial Member of the Council, the Hon. Sir Henry Pollock. in which the speaker deplored the fact that the Government, in framing its budget, had omitted to fix exchange forward for all its sterling commitments for 1936.

4

nn

chance, and it will be for thems

unofficial

wader

integrity and efficiency. If they exięting standard set by the Gov-ithe whole financial position and stand my Honourable friend, thement, which occasions increased

parecen His Excellency and

In the Budget Debate in 1934 Fon

Services

on

Administration.

Sir-Henry-Pollock's Speech

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF UNOFFICIALS

In seconding the motion

revenues. But this alleged dif-to add at least three important quite unable to discern it! In his holder of the position of Secretary ly indispensable to leave the Ser-/Unofficial Member, said:-

ference is generally regarded as items to the above sum which. illusory and unsound because the staggering as it is, is not the full

the

every

Hospitals, except

as we

Government

of the policy of the Honourable the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services for the Government to take over (at the expense of the tax-payers) all the Medical Ser vices of this Colony and to drive eventually the private practi- tianers put of business by the Government competing with them. We shall be glad to learn from

In introducing his motion the normal revenue for 1936, and the Hon. Mr. Lo said:-

figure of just over $29,500,000 as "Your Excellency-In rising to estimated expenditure for 1936. move the Motion which stands in "The total expenditure includes my name. I crave that indulgence the items for Military Contribu- į

theporary measure is at best a make-sary money for various necessary think, wrongly. excluded from to a new for Interest

Public Debt said:

are 50 nursing sisters readily be accorded

General Nursing Staff on Sterling shift arrangement which cannot projects. For instance, malaria isi his maiden amounting to $1,390,831, making a member attempting

We are, however, carrying out a

part of the still rampant in the Colony, and scheme of a local branch of the pay which, at Exchange 1/8d..afford a final solution. speech, and this indulgence is all total of $5,757,732 Subtracting

the Maternity I would like to see half a million.) Senior Clerical and the more necessary because I fear this sum from the total expendi-

Accounting amounts to $162,031. With a lower

Limits Of Capacity Staff and are endeavouring to train rate of Exchange, and with the

or even a millior, dollars devoted wards of the Victoria and Kow will have to take up some 20ture there will remain the sum of

local sanitary inspectors.

Fur-

stipulated annual increments, this "It may well be that too sud-in one rear to eradicating this on Hospitals, and thus are de minutes of this Council's valuable 223,840,416 available for all other

ther. I hope that it may be time in saying what I desire to purposes, and it will be rather sible to train local nursing sisters amount must, of course. substan-den or too drastic a reduction in disease. Bat salaries having ab-barred, in the majority of cases, personnel must necessarily impair sorbed over $14,000,000, where is from attending upon these of their say in support of this Motion. illuminating to see how much of

patients who go into Government and reduce the large number tially increase year by year. The view asserted by the terms this available surplus-which, inį

of sisters recruited from England. "From information given to me to some extent the existing high the money to come from? I propose to go into this question by those who have had actual ex-efficiency of the

"I apologise for the time I have Hospitals.

Exclusion Should Cease of my Motion is that the Colony order to avoid undue repetition,

with my Honourable friend, the cannot afford to maintain theI have called the 'available ex-|

Director of Medical and Sanitary perience. I know that the skill. But just as it would be suicidal taken up this afternoon.

be-for a business concern to strive "I beg to move the Motion stand- "We urge strongly that such ex- existing Civil Service, and I will penditure-has been absorbed by

(Hansard, page 187). care, solicitude and devotion

of efficiency ing in my name, and respectfully clusion should be abolished. We at once proceed to set out shortly salaries. I may incidentally men-

Policy Accepted

stowed by these nursing sisters on to attain the ideal the grounds on which this view tion that of this available, expen-

In the Budget Debate in 1935 their patients are beyond praise without taking due heed of bank-commend it to the consideration have been informed that it is part

Hon. the Acting Colonial and carnot be measured in terms ruptcy, so I submit Government of this Council."" is based.

diture no less than $3,207,560 has the

of any currency. Good nursing is must restrict its cost of Adminis-! "It might have been thought at been earmarked for Public Works Secretary said: one time that one of the alleged Extraordinary.

The Government has fully and indeed priceless I gladly and tration within the limits of the differences between public and "I have added the totals of all

frankly accepted that policy of re-gratefully record my sincere hum-Colony's capacity to pay.

that the "I sabmit therefore placing wherever possible European ble tribute to them. But I submit private finance is that, whilst in personal emoluments set out in

by Asiatic employees, but it zust that the financial condition of the Government should not engage any private finance outlay must be the Estimates for 1936, and I find

be evident that such a policy can gauged and conditioned by inthat the total comes to the sum show its full effect only gradually. Colony renders the carrying out more persons on a Sterling basis

(Hansard, page 201).

of Sir William Peel's project a without consulting this Council; come, in public finance the reverse of $11,457,821. In order to get a

And, yet, what is the actual re-matter not only of expediency but that no vacancy should be filled is, the case, in that after the ex-correct picture of the amount

without similar consultation: that: penditures are fixed it is the duty spent on salaries in the Civil Ser-sult? I must confess that if any of urgency.

Some Particular Posts facilities be given to all officers of the Legislature to provide "the vice in relation to income one has result has been achieved it is so

this Council, whether our above disappointingly small that I am "I understand that the present recently recruited and not absolute-Hon. Sir Henry Follock, Senior Dr. Wellington, as a Member of "Your Excellency, I have much information is substantially cor- answers to my questions on to the Hon. the Director of Pub-vice without subjecting the Colony

alto any liability to pensions, and pleasure in seconding this motion, rect.

"Surely it would be possible for January 16, 1936, the Hon. the lic Works draws over £1,000

the Government State, like the individual, must inbill which the Colony, has to pay Colonial Secretary stated that the year. I gladly cozcede this gentle- that a real effort be made to utilise which has the unanimous support

to arrange for zumber of European Civil Ser-man's exceptional ability and that local talent, such as qualified doc-of the Unofficial Members.

"My Honourable friend, Mr. M. contracts with a firm of doctors, "To begin with it must be re-vants employed rose from 647 in he is worth this pay. But the tors from the University of Hong membered that the figures giver 1923, to 975 in 1935; that as re-point is: Is it really necessary to Kong, etc. But in this connection K. Lo, is to be congratulated upon as is done by business people now, in the 1936 Estimates are based,gards the European Senior Cleri-employ such a high salaried man I would like to make one sugges-the trouble which he has taken in and to save public money by so looking up and presenting to this doing; the choice of doctors to so far as Sterling salaries are cal and Accounting Staff the same for this post? I may remark that tion.

Council the illuminating figures be left to patients to decide.

"Of course, it is conceded that, rose from 24 in 1923, to 63 in this salary is higher than The Acting Colonial Secretary 1925 and that 52 additional Euro- now paid to many experienced pro- "For the sake of the reputation which he has just laid before us "What. then, is the present red to, that in terms of Sterling the date of the Petrenchment as doctors and solicitors.

stated in his speech, above refer- peans have been employed since fessional men in the Service. such of the Government Service bribery in regard to the very large expen-owing to the increase, during re- or other irregular practice must be diture of this Colony upon the cent years, of accommodation at financial position of the Colony?

"Is it a fact that a Sterling man stamped out, and I venture to think salaries and pensions of Civil Ser-the Kowloon Hospital, some in- crease in the Government. Hospital "The Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith, as

What Actual Steps?

is employed as Librarian of the that all new men employed should vants.

This heavy burdea demands Medical staff was necessary, but Acting Colonial Secretary, in the

Library at the CS.O., and if so. be engaged on the clear and dis- course of his extremely able and

"May I respectfully ask what is this necessary?

tinct basis that their service is the serious attention of the Gov-we contend that such increase lucid Budget speech on September comes to just over $750,000, and actual steps have been taken by [

all the salary figures must be very the Government to give effect to so many Europeans on

"Is it really necessary to have liable to be terminated if the ernment at the present time when certainly did not justify the en- many as seven in Sterling Governor in Council, after enquiry, a marked trade depression sys-gagement of so substantially increased when the

unbalanced additional European Doctors Sterling commitment is calculated that policy, so fully and frankly basis on the staff of the C.S.O.?should be of the opinion that their chronises with

the Hospital Division of the accepted by the Government, of or, with so many Cadet Officers in continuance in office is detrimental Budget.

Medical, Department. "In my Budget, speech, on Octo-

Queen Mary Hospital revised figures, summed up the namely, round about a 1/31⁄2

pean by Asiatic employees? In at a salary of £1,050?

deed. I consider that this, ruleber 3 last, speaking on behalf of dollar. · Moreover, the salary

"In the course of his Budget this connection I would like to

"Can we really afford to have should apply to the whole Service. all the Unofficial Members, I said

speech of September 12 last, the As a result of all these economics figure of nearly $11,500,000 does!

bring forward a case which hapa special Sterling officer as Official "I say this because, to my 'mind, (see Hansard 1935, p. 180):- the cap between Revenue and Ex-not include Pensions, Rent Allow pened to come to my knowledge a Anesthetist who, I understand, will and having regard to local condi

Regarding retrenchment we are Acting Colonial Secretary said penditure has been "considerably ances or Transport. It must, of few weeks ago.

glad to learn that the Government (see Hansard 1985, p.165) — reduced but with the dollar rate course, be conceded that Rent from Canton recently saw me in meat? Surely it would have been that, generally speaking,

A certain Chinese shortly join the Medical Depart-tions, it is quite fatile to expect

is carefully considering whether it *No provision, apart from one sew is necessary to fill up Posts asamah, has been made for the extra vacancies occur. .Our Staff of Civil staff that will be required for the Servants is a very large one, even new Queen Mary Hospital, as the after making the fullest allowance Hospital will not be ready until 1937.” for the fact that the Government In this connection it is suggest- has also to perform the duties of ad, firstly, that a good deal of the ́- Municipality. Indeed it is con-time of the present Government sidered by some that we have tooMedical Officers could be saved.

Calony many Regulations in this

the long run cut its cost according

to its cloth, and persistent viola-]

same conse-

tion of this principle must even-į tually entail the quences, alike for State and in- dividual. I unhesitatingly accept the validity of this principle.

Present Position

12, 1935, after stating that it was anticipated that the estimated re- venue for 1936 would be about a

Exchange Rate

concerned, on

3

1,8d.

dollar.

the amount budgeted for a repre- Commission Report in 1931. senting Salaries, Purchases from

Crown Agents, Pensions, etc.,

that

"Irregular Practice"

million and a half behind the 1935 (at the prevailing rate of exchange replacing wherever possible Euro-that Office, to have a Chief Clerk to the interests of the Colony. In-

position as follows:-

taken at 1-8d.. which seems

#

such

prudent figure, there will still-be Allowances and Transport must connection with his application much more economical to have evidence of bribery or corruption |

TO

cut its coat, for I do most respect-Pensions fully agree with the views recent

and too large a staff of Subordinate if people, who now go to Govern- Officers fassing about and worrying ment Hospitals (which are paid people regarding the meticulous for by the public and should be observance of the Regulations open to private practitioners) for

a deficit, after alowing for the be inchided. And I submit that for the post of Assistant Govern engaged a doctor graduated from will be forthcoming as will secure surplus balances as mentioned, of this applies equally to Pensions, ment Analyst, which was about $830,000. The exact figures for it is now generally accepted vacant. His qualifications and re-ts have sent aim to undergo a Law. I do not see why, when the then the University of Hong Kong, and a verdict of guilt in a Court of are Revenue $26,671,845 plas Sur that a pension is in truth not a

ferences were unexceptionable special plus Balances (in exceess

course of training in Government wishes to dispense $10,000,000) $2.095,789 total $23,-eward or gift, but rather a de He duly sent in his application. Anaesthetics in Europe.

with the services of an undesirable 767.634: Expenditure $29,598,148. ferred wage, or a compensation but later he understood that 3

Medical Department employee, there should be required "Pausing here I should like to paid to the employee for the Sterling man from England had

"The pablished figures show that the same proof of guilt as would state that, in my humble opinion, gradual destruction of his wage just embarked to fill this post. the expenses of the Medical De-secure a conviction in a Court of the normal revenue of just over earning capacity in the course of

"What steps did the Government partment, rose from $502,000 odd Justice. All servants of the Go- $26,500,000 must be regarded as his work. The figures for the take to find a suitable man locally in 1924, to $1,505,264 in 1934, and emment should know that they!

Also the prevalent notion that representing the cloth according three items mentioned above are to fill this post before resorting to to $1,651,378 in the Estimates for must be above suspicion of any Police Officers and Sanitary Inspec-treatment or operations but can to which the Government must as follows:-

engaging a new man in England? 1936, of which 41,160,694 repre- corrupt practice, and I cannot see tors acquire merit by proseccting afford to pay a private practi- $1,820,000.00 do respectfully press for

people

apt to render the Govern- tioner for treatment or operations, 2 sent personal emoluments. No one why they should be retained if the

ment unpopuler and to make the be allowed to be attended there by answer to this question, not in the can possibly have a higher admirs Governor in Council, after careful

man in the strect consider that we Senior Officers.....$ 128,000.00 interests of this particular aption than I have for the services enquiry, should have reasonable

could do with fewer 02 such private practitioners, and second- [plicant--indeed; he was quite un rendered by my Honourable friend ground for thinking that such Officers.

ly, that, if any increase of the $ 120,000.00 mown to me but because it would the D.MS.S., but apart from mat-practice has been committed, even

"In the same debate my Hon-Government Hospital. show the nature of the effort which tem like the Children's Clinic.in the absence of such proof as ourable friend, Sir William Shen-found to be necessary in order to the Government is stated to be venereal Clinics, Medical Services is necessary in a Court of Justice ton, recommended (Hansard staff the Queen Mary Hospital, $2,0-13.000.00 making in carrying out the policy in the New Territories, are the "I submit that the question as (P. 188) a careful survey of every considerable. economy.could be Stupendous Sum

of reducing the number of Sterling medical facilities and the general to what constitutes proof of guilt branch of the Government service effected by the Government en- "Therefore, if you add the total paid me in the financial interests medical and public health standard in a criminal prosecution, and the with a view to efiecting subetan-zaging medical graduates of the not beyond it, and any new tax-of $2,643,000 to the total of $11;-of the Colony,

in the Colony improved to such an question as to what are the cir-tial economies.” |

Hong Kong University on dollar burdens may be the last straw. |457,821 "you" "get the stupendous

Nursing Sisters

extent ze to merit an extra annus! {cumstances "under" which "an"" em-;-*- Free Medical Service". salaries instead of engaging Me- sum of $14,100,821 as the full bill "with reference to the state expenditure of over a million dol-ployer should be entitled to ter- "In the course of his speech, indical Officers from Britain on e "I therefore take the figure of for salaries, Another way of ment of His Excellency Sir Walere when the figures for 1924 and minate a contract of service, are support of the motion now before pensive: sterling salaries. $26,671,845° az representing the stating this position is that out of liam Peel, already quoted above, 1936 are compared? In any case, entirely different, and should not the Council, the mover indicated

(Continued On Page 11)

Rent Allowances:—

Misc. Services.

ly expressed as to the inability of the Colony to stand the strain of

extra taxation, and particularly by Dr. R. H. Kotewall, who spoke

European Subordinate"

Officers

Asiatic. Oficers

in the last Budget Debate as the Transport

Senior Unofficial Chinese Member

of this Council, that the Colony!

is already taxed to capacity, if]

Normal Figure

120,000.00 475,000.00

.

"

Staf is